A HAWICK woman who admitted receiving £24,000 in benefits she was not entitled to has avoided a custodial sentence at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Twenty-three-year-old Danielle Johnstone of Cheviot Road, received £8,000 in housing benefit between January 2015  and June 2017 by failing to give prompt notice that her partner who was living with her was in employment.

She also claimed Child Tax and Working Tax Credits to the value £16,000 when they were  living together as husband and wife during the same period.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser accepted that the accused had a "fluctuating relationship" with her husband but it was clear she had received the benefits during this period that she was not entitled to.

He described the benefits received as "substantial amounts."

Johnstone was ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid work over the next 18 months.

She was also given a 12-month Restriction of Liberty Order keeping her in her home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said it was an alternative to a custodial sentence.